Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Win A Trip To The Tour de France From Cannondale]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/25/win-a-trip-to-the-tour-de-france-from-cannondale/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/25/win-a-trip-to-the-tour-de-france-from-cannondale/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/25/win-a-trip-to-the-tour-de-france-from-cannondale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Peloton at the Tour de FranceAre you a cycling fan who has always dreamed of attending the Tour de France? Then Cannondale has a Facebook contest with a prize specifically designed for you. The company is giving one lucky fan a chance to attend the race in July and actually become a member of Team Liquigas-Cannondale for a week.

In order to win the contest you'll first have to "Like" Cannondale on their Facebook page and then click on the Tour de France icon to fill out the online form. In addition to providing basic contact information, you'll also be asked questions like who your favorite rider on the team is and what your prefect ride is like. Answering those questions creatively will go a long way toward gaining some attention and impressing the judges, who will select 25 finalist for the next round of the competition. If you make the cut, you'll then be asked to create a short video introducing yourself more fully.

The winner of the competition will receive an all expense paid trip to attend the Tour, where they'll get to hang around backstage at the race for a week. They'll also get to ride in the team car, hand out water bottles, help prep the bikes and more. And if that wasn't enough, the winner will also receive a new Cannondale SuperSix EVO, a bike that is valued at more than $5500. The EVO has been called the "Best Bike in the World," which means it should be more than adequate for your next spin around town.

The contest closes on May 31st, so you'll have to hurry to get signed up. With a little luck, you could find yourself in France this summer.

[Photo credit: Steven Eckelberry via WikiMedia Commons]

Win A Trip To The Tour de France From Cannondale originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbikescannondalecyclingtour de franceTourDeFranceFri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Off The Grid Photo Series]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/23/off-the-grid-photo-series/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/23/off-the-grid-photo-series/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/23/off-the-grid-photo-series/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Nature is inspiring for humans (most humans). That's why we (most of us) long for fresh air, gasp at sunsets and use our free time to do things like hike, bike, walk, run, paddle, climb, cave and garden. Nature is so inspiring to some that they choose to live off the grid, despite easy access to all modern amenities. Photographer Eric Valli has spent years with a group of off the grid people. He recently released a photo series documenting these people. The photos can be seen on Valli's website here. What a trip that would be: go live with a group of off the grid people for an extended period of time. Watch how your priorities change.

Continue reading Off The Grid Photo Series

Off The Grid Photo Series originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric valliEricVallilive off the earthLiveOffTheEarthliving off the earthLivingOffTheEarthnativeno electricityno running waterno technologyNoElectricityNoRunningWaterNoTechnologyoff gridoff the gridOffGridOffTheGridWed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Encountering Monet At The Musee d'Orsay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/encountering-monet-at-the-musee-d-orsay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/encountering-monet-at-the-musee-d-orsay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/encountering-monet-at-the-musee-d-orsay/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Reading Gadling's marvelous Museum Month posts has reminded me of a trip I made two decades ago to Paris. I had fallen in love with that exhilarating city in the mid-1970s, when I lived there for two successive summers, first after my junior year in college and then after graduation. I returned in 1988 to celebrate the city, and as part of that celebration, I wanted to write an essay about the poignancy and power of the artworks I had discovered at the Louvre, the Musee Rodin, the Musee de Cluny, the Petit Palais, the Musee d'Orsay, and many other museums and galleries.

First I thought I would write about all the showplaces for art that I liked in Paris, but I quickly realized that I couldn't possibly do justice to so many places in a compact piece. I had to focus. I considered describing my favorite three museums, then just one museum, then three rooms in that museum, then three favorite pieces of art there. But though I narrowed my focus more and more, every one of these subjects still seemed too broad.

Finally I decided to focus on one painting in one museum, my favorite painting in all of Paris. I installed myself near that painting for about an hour, and scribbled in my journal. I have that journal before me now. Here's what I wrote.

Continue reading Encountering Monet At The Musee d'Orsay

Encountering Monet At The Musee d'Orsay originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>don georgeDonGeorgefrancemonetmusee dorsayMuseeDorsaymuseumpaintingparisMon, 21 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/10/10-extraordinary-islands-to-visit-on-your-next-vacation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

vacation islands

Summer is the time of island vacations. It is time to put as much distance between you and the real world as possible. It is time to stand outside of your everyday life and to see how it all looks from a paradise perspective. Here is a collection of islands for escape - places to recharge, gain perspective and explore. From an island in the land of the gods to a tropical Amsterdam at the edge of an ocean trench, each of these ten destinations provides something extraordinary.

Gallery: 10 Islands To Visit Next

SantoriniSantoriniSantoriniGili TGili T

Continue reading 10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation

10 Extraordinary Islands To Visit On Your Next Vacation originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaborneoCorsicafrancegalapagosGiliIslandsGR 20Gr20greeceindonesiaislandislandsmalaysiamaldivespalauperhentianperhentian islandsPerhentianIslandssantoriniscuba divingScubaDivingSt. CroixSt.CroixtasmaniaUS Virgin IslandsusviUsVirginIslandsvacationvacation islandsVacationIslandsvirgin islandsVirginIslandsThu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel For The Inexplicable Human Connection]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/01/t/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/01/t/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/01/t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Editing a contribution to the site from Jill Paris the other day I was reviewing her bio at the end of the article and took note of the reason why she travels: "for the inexplicable human connection."

Those connections affect all of us when we travel, whether we know it or not, and it's a big part of what makes the journey so special. For me, personally, I have wonderful stories of meeting random groups of friends on the steps of Montmartre as well as terrible, dark confessions of trips gone awry and of love lost. But the threads of all of these narratives help weave the tapestry of my life, and with them, I've become a better and stronger person.

Luke Rudkowski's journey through France were affected by a kind stranger named Joel, the sort of person that opens his home to travelers and greets them with kindness and compassion. It's a story of budget travel and of short lived relationships of the road -- and it's told perfectly above.

Travel For The Inexplicable Human Connection originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europefrancevideoTue, 01 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Bones And Art In The Paris Catacombs]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/26/video-bones-and-art-in-the-paris-catacombs/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/26/video-bones-and-art-in-the-paris-catacombs/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/26/video-bones-and-art-in-the-paris-catacombs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



You've probably seen videos or photos of the famous Paris Catacombs, with their miles of ossuaries holding the bones of some six million Parisians. The catacombs were created in the 18th century from existing underground quarries, and these quarries, tunnels, and other mysterious underground spaces create a network under Paris measuring more than 180 miles. It's truly a city under the city, with its own secret life.

This video, created by some intrepid urban explorers, shows parts of the Paris Catacombs you won't see on the official tour: rooms filled with graffiti and giant murals, even a large stone model of a castle. Despite their reputation as burial places, the tunnels and rooms beneath Paris seem to have a lot of life in them.

The Parisians who make these works of art, called cataphiles, also sponsor underground parties, meetings, even a cinema. To learn more about these interesting folks, check out this article.

Video: Bones And Art In The Paris Catacombs originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure destinationadventure destinationsadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureDestinationAdventureDestinationsadventureradventurersadventuresAdventureTravelartart videoArtVideocatacombscataphilescool videoCoolVideoFranceFrance tourismFrance travelFranceTourismFranceTravelgraffitigrafitti videoGrafittiVideoParisParis catacombsParis tourismParis travelParis undergroundParisCatacombsParisTourismParisTravelParisUndergroundunderground artUndergroundArturban explorerurban explorersurban spelunkingUrbanExplorerUrbanExplorersUrbanSpelunkingvideoThu, 26 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stunning Photos Of The Alps]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/18/stunning-photos-of-the-alps/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/18/stunning-photos-of-the-alps/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/18/stunning-photos-of-the-alps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alps, The Alps, MountainsThe Alps is a beautiful mountain range. Spanning through Austria and Slovenia all the way through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, France and Monaco, the Alps are a go-to spot for mountain-loving folks living in or passing through these areas in Europe. Taken from the Latin word Alpes, which may have been derived from the word Albus, which means "white," the Alps are certainly that. If you enjoy perusing jaw-dropping photography, you'll be happy to know that Nature Pictures has an Alps series up on their website here. This stunning collection of photos features the snow-capped peaks in several scenes. Whether partially lit from the sunrise, towering over a lake or contrasted against green pastures, this photo collection is worth the look.

Continue reading Stunning Photos Of The Alps

Stunning Photos Of The Alps originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Six Of The Most Scenic Train Trips In Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/11/six-of-the-most-scenic-train-trips-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/11/six-of-the-most-scenic-train-trips-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/11/six-of-the-most-scenic-train-trips-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Forget flying around Europe. At 30,000 feet it's impossible to truly experience the continent's remarkable landscapes. Rather than being shuttled around in a plane that only allows a birds-eye view, train trips immerse travelers in the terrain. There's a reason why trains are often thought of as the most romantic mode of transportation: riding the rails makes you feel more connected and in tune than air travel ever could. Instead of feeling like a chore, as flying often does, train travel can be an experience in itself. In fact, there are plenty of scenic train rides in Europe that are worth the trip just for the view. The following are top rated train trips, and from the rolling hills of England to the craggy Alps of Switzerland, each one offers travelers something different.

6. United Kingdom
London to Edinburgh
The rolling, green hills and moors that are often associated with Yorkshire make this one of the most scenic train trips in Europe. When entering the northern parts of England, travelers will catch glimpses of the rugged coastline along the North Sea. During the 4 1/2-hour train ride, English speakers will notice a distinct difference in passenger accents as the train gets closer to Scotland. Although the common language is English, it can be hard to decipher as the Scottish brogue gets thicker and thicker.

[Flickr photo via boutmuet]

Continue reading Six Of The Most Scenic Train Trips In Europe

Six Of The Most Scenic Train Trips In Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adriatic SeaAix-en-ProvencealpsAmsterdamAnglosphereBellinzonaBlack Forest RailwayBrothers GrimmdutchedinburghEnglandEntertainmenteuropeFloating cityGermanyGlacier ExpressgroningenHansel and GretelIrish SeaItalyLocarnolondonMarseilleMediterranean seamoorsNiceOffenburgPaul CézanneRoman SRomeRomeo and JulietScotlandSwitzerlandTicinotrain travelTrainTravelTriestetulipsVeniceveronaWilliam ShakespeareYorkshireWed, 11 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fact vs Fiction: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-eiffel-tower-in-paris-france/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-eiffel-tower-in-paris-france/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-eiffel-tower-in-paris-france/#commentsFiled under: ,



Warm days in Paris can bring out the crowds, especially in the parks near the foot of the Eiffel Tower. While lines can be long year round, they get the worst around Bastille Day (July 14) when the picture on the right was taken. And once you get to the top, well, expect more congestion.



Next: The Acropolis in Athens, Greece >>

[flickr images via nickboos, subpop77, and joybot]

Fact vs Fiction: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eiffel towerEiffelTowerfact vs fictionFactVsFictionfranceparisTue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tourist Attractions Around The World: Fact vs. Fiction]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/tourist-attractions-around-the-world-ideality-vs-reality/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/tourist-attractions-around-the-world-ideality-vs-reality/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/tourist-attractions-around-the-world-ideality-vs-reality/#commentsFiled under: ,



The wonders of the modern world define our travels. Whether we admit it or not, there's something heroic about standing on top of the Great Wall of China or hiking up to the crest above Machu Pichu for the trademark photograph. It's those photos that fuel our travels and that convince our friends and families to make the same trips. It's also those photos that define our perceptions of a destination and, in a way, cloud them.

What's missing in most destination photos, though, is context. The Taj Mahal is a celebration of architecture and beauty in northern India, but the surrounding neighborhoods have developed an economy that is known for taking advantage of tourists. The Mona Lisa, shown above, is often buried by eager tourists.

To illustrate this contrast we put together a series of destination images before and after - as we see them on postcards and then in real life. At worst, the photos show how crowded and hectic some of the world's destinations can sometimes be. But we prefer to think of them in a different light: they're the destinations in real life, complete with tourist, busker and hawker. In a way, it's a more complete story.

Next: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France >>


[flickr image via thms.nl]

Tourist Attractions Around The World: Fact vs. Fiction originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eiffel towerEiffelTowerlouvremona lisaMonaLisapyramidsTue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Stops along the way]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/photo-of-the-day-stops-along-the-way/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/photo-of-the-day-stops-along-the-way/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/photo-of-the-day-stops-along-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


A simple stop along a bicycle route is captured in today's Photo of the Day from Flickr user Kurt Schmidt. The image, taken with a Canon EOS 7D, depicts a quiet street scene with a vintage pink bicycle parked outside a cheerful cafe. One can imagine the rider ordering an espresso then sitting with a croissant and a newspaper before continuing along her way.

Does your travel snapshot belong here? Upload your favorite shots to the Gadling Group Pool and your image could be selected as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Stops along the way originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arlesbicyclecyclingflickrfrancephotophoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayphotosTue, 27 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Avalanche destroys ski lift with passengers aboard]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/06/avalanche-destroys-ski-lift-with-passengers-aboard/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/06/avalanche-destroys-ski-lift-with-passengers-aboard/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/06/avalanche-destroys-ski-lift-with-passengers-aboard/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A massive avalanche hit a ski resort on the St. Francois-Longchamps mountain in France this past weekend, destroying several pylons that held the ski lift in place even while passengers were still riding it. The entire event was captured on video by bystanders who stood at the bottom of the hill as the wall of snow slowly moved down the slope crushing everything in its path. That video can be seen below.

At the time of the avalanche there were 70 people on the lift and miraculously none of them were harmed. Helicopters were soon brought in to evacuate them from the debris, which took about two and a half hours to complete.

Watching the video I can only imagine how helpless and frightened the people aboard the lift must have felt. The avalanche almost seems like it is moving in slow motion as it slides down the face of the mountain and easily crushes the metal pylons for the lift as if they aren't even there. It is a wild scene to say the least.


Avalanche destroys ski lift with passengers aboard originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelavalanche ski liftAvalancheSkiLiftski liftSkiLiftsnowboardingvideoTue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vagabond Tales: How to wine taste in France without speaking French]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/27/vagabond-tales-how-to-wine-taste-in-france-without-speaking-fre/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/27/vagabond-tales-how-to-wine-taste-in-france-without-speaking-fre/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/27/vagabond-tales-how-to-wine-taste-in-france-without-speaking-fre/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



For many global travelers there are few languages more useful than French.

In case you aren't aware, or it's been a healthy number of decades since your last high school French class, the Francophone world still extends far beyond the borders of France. From the beaches of Martinique to the cloud forests of Rwanda, French is still the default language of choice for tourism and local commerce. Madagascar, Belgium, French Guyana, Morocco, Tahiti, and even Laos and Cambodia to some extent are all global travel destinations where the ability to speak French can make or break your travels.

And then, of course, there is France.

Amongst travelers it isn't exactly a secret that the French people can be a bit reluctant to speak anything other than French. Although some complain it smacks of arrogance, to be fair, as travelers to another country we should always make the effort to learn the local language, and after multiple visits to France I can attest that effort is often weighted heavier than proficiency. Still, it can be challenging.

So what's the only thing more intimidating than traveling through France and not knowing French?

Talking about wine, in France, and not knowing French.

Seeing as many French people are immensely proud of their wines and often consider them to be some of the finest on the planet, discussing such a passionate topic in a language in which you claw for the basics can be an overwhelming undertaking. So much so, in fact, that some travelers opt to not go down that road at all, which from a cultural standpoint can be a major faux pas.

So what's a non-French speaking traveler to do if they want to learn about wine in France but don't have the linguistic tools to get them there?

Luckily, on a cobbled street corner in Aix-en-Provence, I would find out there is a niche market for people asking themselves that exact same question.

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: How to wine taste in France without speaking French

Vagabond Tales: How to wine taste in France without speaking French originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aix-en-ProvenceChateauneuf de PapeChateauneufDePapeEnglish speaking wine tours in FranceEnglishSpeakingWineToursInFrancefrancophoneFrench winesFrenchWinesvagabondtaleswinewine in FranceWine in ProvenceWine touring provencewine travel FranceWineInFranceWineInProvenceWineTouringProvenceWineTravelFranceMon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sustainable or just plain weird? Accor hotels sell their used furniture on eBay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/17/sustainable-or-just-plain-weird-accor-hotels-sell-their-used-fu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/17/sustainable-or-just-plain-weird-accor-hotels-sell-their-used-fu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/17/sustainable-or-just-plain-weird-accor-hotels-sell-their-used-fu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

accor hotelsThis week French hotel brand Accor launched
reBorn, an online store through eBay that will sell the hotel giant's used furniture.

What can you snag? Everything from Luis XVI bedside tables to bronze chandeliers to 1980s wing armchairs, minibar furniture and even safes. About 2,500 items are on the site in total, with prices listed in Euros.

"The reBorn project satisfies a current social trend that gives new value to second-hand items in good condition by creating new circular economy models. Just look at the success of garage sales, second-hand swaps and bargain websites," Sophie Flak, Accor's executive vice president for academies and sustainable development told Hotels Magazine.

What do you think? Would you buy used hotel furniture online?



Sustainable or just plain weird? Accor hotels sell their used furniture on eBay originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accor hotelsAccorHotelseBayfranceFri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[McDonald's France promo pairs "baguette" burgers with famous cheeses]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/15/mcdonalds-france-promo-pairs-baguette-burgers-with-famous-che/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/15/mcdonalds-france-promo-pairs-baguette-burgers-with-famous-che/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/15/mcdonalds-france-promo-pairs-baguette-burgers-with-famous-che/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

french cheeseIn a move that's either sheer genius or...a sign of the Apocalypse, McDonald's France is giving their cheeseburgers a serious makeover. From February 15th through March 27th, customers will be able to get their burgers on a baguette, with a choice of four different French cheeses--three of which are prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (PDO; formerly known in France as Appellation d'origine contrôlée, or AOC) products. These cheeses are under strict production guidelines and can only be made within a specific area in their region of origin. Ooh la la!

According to culture: the word on cheese (full disclosure: I'm a contributing editor), the cheese selection consists of Cantal, a buttery alpine style; Fourme d'Ambert, a creamy, spicy blue; Saint-Nectaire, an earthy semi-soft number, and "generic" chèvre, aka fresh goat cheese.

The cheesemonger/writer in me is thrilled to see something other than processed orange crap on a hamburger, and in France, I think this concept will fly. I don't think America is ready for le gourmet burger with cheese yet, but it will be a great day when fast food actually consists of real food.

5 French Phrases to Know When Cheese Tasting

McDonald's France promo pairs "baguette" burgers with famous cheeses originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpine cheeseAlpineCheeseaocAOC cheeseAocCheesebaguettesblue cheeseBlueCheesecheeseEuropean cheeseEuropeanCheesefast foodFastFoodfrench cheeseFrench foodfrench friesFrenchCheeseFrenchFoodFrenchFrieshamburgerslocal foodLocalFoodmcdonaldsrestaurant dealsRestaurantDealsSwiss cheeseSwissCheesetakeaway foodTakeawayFoodWed, 15 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video of the Day: Splitscreen: A Love Story]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/14/video-of-the-day-splitscreen-a-love-story/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/14/video-of-the-day-splitscreen-a-love-story/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/14/video-of-the-day-splitscreen-a-love-story/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Whether you love or hate Valentine's Day, there's no escaping the amorous feelings in the air today. We might as well make a contribution with today's Video of the Day. This short film, released last summer, celebrates transcontinental love: two sets of eyes, one in New York and one in Paris, passing days with similar experiences until the moment the eyes unite (reunite?) on London's Golden Jubilee Bridge. Cue single tear. The video will undoubtedly tug on the heartstrings of anyone who has ever attempted a long distance relationship... or at the very least make you want to visit the three cities.

Splitscreen earned the top spot in last year's Nokia Shorts 2011 competition, which armed a select group of filmmakers with the Nokia N8 phone and a $5,000 budget. The film was shot entirely on the N8 by a team led by filmmaker James W. Griffiths, beating out seven competitors for the top prize. They do say that love conquers all.

Video of the Day: Splitscreen: A Love Story originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golden jubilee bridgeGoldenJubileeBridgelondonlong distance relationshipLongDistanceRelationshiplovenew yorkNewYorknokiaparisphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDaysplitscreenvalentines dayValentinesDayvideo of the dayVideoOfTheDayTue, 14 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flying a dream: Urban Side]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/13/flying-a-dream-urban-side/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In this flying video we see Jean-Baptiste Chandelier who has been a paraglidiing pilot since 2004 and wants to inspire us all.

"My goal is to share my paragliding universe with my videos, for make everyone dream of flying," says Chandelier on his website.

Specializing in acro flight, Chandelier flys through Peru, France and Chile using a variety of aero-acrobatic maneuvers and stunt flying, taking advantage of thermal properties of air by bodies of water, beaches, mountains and urban city areas.

"I am happy to present you a video really important for me, the Urban Side. In this video i flight on some really interresting places, and i play with the people. I hope the people inside and out of the paragliding world will like it and share it."

Urban Side from Jean-Baptiste Chandelier JB prod on Vimeo.

Flying a dream: Urban Side originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acroflightChileFlyingFranceJean-Baptiste ChandelierJean-Baptiste MartinoliJean-baptisteChandelierJean-baptisteMartinoliparaglidingparagliding videoParaglidingVideoPeruMon, 13 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Infamous French prankster arrested for impersonating a traffic camera]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/infamous-french-prankster-arrested-for-impersonating-a-traffic-c/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/infamous-french-prankster-arrested-for-impersonating-a-traffic-c/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/infamous-french-prankster-arrested-for-impersonating-a-traffic-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While it's probably safe to say that most people think traffic cameras are pretty annoying, infamous French prankster Rémi Gaillard has brought harassing drivers to a whole new level. In this video, he impersonates a traffic camera, literally flashing lights at commuters and then chasing them while dressed in a cardboard costume. While many people have found the joke to be out-of-line, calling Gaillard obscene words and saying he is "destroying the very fabric of society", I have to say that from this side of the action the video does have a lot of humor to it, especially with the aggressive background music. The fun didn't last too long, however, as the cops arrested him before the situation could get too out of hand.

Infamous French prankster arrested for impersonating a traffic camera originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>francefunny travel videoFunnyTravelVideohumorRémi GaillardRémiGaillardtravel videoTravelVideovideoTue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/mardi-gras-is-coming-time-to-review-and-tweet/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/mardi-gras-is-coming-time-to-review-and-tweet/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/03/mardi-gras-is-coming-time-to-review-and-tweet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mardi GrasMardi Gras rolls around about this time every year bringing Fat Tuesday and signaling celebrations held worldwide. In the United States, the focus is on New Orleans and this year the city is sponsoring some special events including a family-friendly focus and a special series of Twitter Chats leading up to the celebration.

About a million people will take to the streets of New Orleans for the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Throughout the celebration, the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold can be seen around the city. Purple, green and gold officially became the colors of Carnival back in 1872 when Alexis Romanov, Grand Duke of Russia, visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras. In the Duke's honor, the city adopted the Romanov family colors of purple, green and gold, representing justice, fidelity and power.

Also a tradition of Mardi Gras, King Cakes came to New Orleans with the French and began as round, custard-filled pastries decorated with crowns. King Cakes remain extremely popular throughout the city during the carnival season and are often compared to a coffee cake, drizzled in icing and decorated with sugar dyed the traditional colors. Tradition holds that whoever gets the ornamental baby hidden inside the cake at the first party had to give a king cake party the following weekend.

Continue reading Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet

Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EntertainmentHouse of RomanovMardi Grasmardi gras 2012mardi gras beadsMardi Gras paradesMardiGrasMardiGras2012MardiGrasBeadsMardiGrasParadesNew Orleans Mardi GrasFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris postcard: Savoring the subversively seductive splendors of the Marais]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/31/paris-postcard-savoring-the-subversively-seductive-splendors-of/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/31/paris-postcard-savoring-the-subversively-seductive-splendors-of/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/31/paris-postcard-savoring-the-subversively-seductive-splendors-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



French star architect Jean Nouvel once gave me a ride home from his studio in Paris' edgy 11th arrondissement. I chuckled to discover that the guru of transparency, glass and steel lives around the corner from me in a 1600s building on the Rue des Francs Bourgeois, the spinal column of the Marais. Old is better?

I was amused but not surprised: after 40 years of blanket gentrification the Marais has reportedly become theplace to live for a mix of fashion designers, artists, architects, auctioneers and other professionals-plus droves of bobos, meaning bohemian bourgeois. It's so desirable that it's practically unlivable.

Luckily you don't have to move here to enjoy the Marais: wandering its patchwork of streets from the 1500s-1800s is still a magical experience.

For one thing, super-rich celebs and bobos aren't the only ones drawn here. Trawl the gay district around Rue Vieille du Temple, the Rue des Rosiers Jewish neighborhood, or the Place des Vosges-the Marais' centerpiece square-and you'll discover a global festival of hip hedonism.

What's the attraction? The Marais' storied streets spread on the Right Bank between Beaubourg (the Pompidou Center) and the Bastille, the Seine, and the dowdy Place de la République. They're home to enough boutiques, museums, art galleries, trendy restaurants and cafés stuffed into landmark townhouses to defeat even those born to shop (the French call such people "window-lickers"). This is a safari park for people-watchers, a study in how to preserve and gentrify a unique historic neighborhood.

The penurious few who wound up here before the Marais became trendy do what we can to appreciate the hallowed atmosphere without sounding like party-poopers. Truth be told each time I step out I discover something new and wonderful in my backyard. But I always find myself at least once a day in the Place des Vosges.

Continue reading Paris postcard: Savoring the subversively seductive splendors of the Marais

Paris postcard: Savoring the subversively seductive splendors of the Marais originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedavid downieDavidDowniefrancemaraisparisTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST